running

Summer is just around the corner, which means the dreaded Bikini season is also upon us. Here lies the dilemma… You want to get in shape and workout but you don’t want to pay for an expensive gym membership that you might not even have time to get to enough in order to get your moneys worth.

I have experienced this problem myself, but now that the weather is starting to warm up and the rain is easing off I have discovered the beauty of Outdoor Fitness Parks. In my opinion exercising and working out out in the fresh air, beats a stuffy, expensive gym any day and this is exactly why I think outdoor fitness parks are the perfect solution to a tight budget.

Most cities and suburbs around Vancouver have these outdoor fitness parks. They have several machines that work just as well as those in a membership gym enabling you to work out your arms, legs, abs, etc. These parks are getting more and more prevalent around Vancouver and I’m sure there are some right near you that you don’t even know about!

Photo Retrieved from Wendy Cutler’s Flickr Page

There is a really great outdoor fitness centre in Tisdall Park right near the Langara 49th Canada Line Skytrain Station. If you’re looking for a cheap way to bulk up or tone down, I highly recommend this option. All you need to do is jog down to your local fitness park and use the exercise machines in the sun and you have the perfect workout with cardio and weight training. And the cost?…. FREE 🙂 Now that is my kind of workout!

Last Sunday we had a lot of fun with the most creative, fastest and most craziest race that INTERNeX ever had..“The INTERNeX Amazing Race” Many people signed up for the chance to win amazing prices. A total of nine teams went on the amazing race. There were 9 tasks that they had to full fill in order to win the race.

The winning team “The Hunting Eagles” arrived at the Starbucks within 2 hours.

“Niels & Daniela as The Hunting Eagles”

“Esther & Victoria as The Crazy Insane Flying Monkey Space invadors”

The race for second and third place was neck on neck all the way to the finish. The teams found us at the same time however their teams where not complete, so they had to race to the finish. In the end the second place goes to the team “The Crazy Insane Flying Monkey Space invadors”.

The third place went to the “The Lucky Ones”.

“Janina Stelzer & Jildau as The lucky Ones”

Thank you all for signing up and making the race. We hope that you enjoyed yourselves and got to see Vancouver in a totally different way. If you want to see all the pictures check our flicker site. See you all at the next INTERNeX Amazing Race

There is nothing better than a holiday Monday, so I’m sure most of you are still in weekend mode like I am 🙂

I had a great long weekend catching up with friends and family and celebrating with a nice Easter dinner on Sunday. The weather was absolutely amazing so I took the opportunity to do some half marathon training. I did a 17km run in the sun and I have to say it was so nice to run in a t-shirt and not a rain jacket!

There was a Canucks game on Saturday, which always means a busy night downtown, so my friends and I headed out to the Roxy for some music and dancing. We of course ended up at Roxy Burger for a late night meal, the perfect end to a night.

Did any of you guys celebrate Easter this weekend? Tell us how your weekend went and you’ll have the chance to win some prizes!!

As I was reading through the paper this morning, pictures of the annual “Running of the Bulls” festival in Spain filled the pages. As I flipped through the photographs, I couldn’t help but think that although some of people looked terrified (who wouldn’t with a 2,800 pound bull chasing them) – they had crossed something off of their bucket list, and it got me thinking.

What’s on my bucket list? What things do I want to conquer with every ounce of my being before my time here is over? This year alone has brought so many firsts for me and I really look forward to what the next six months will bring. If you’re reading this, that means you’re on the other side of the computer screen. You may already be in Canada or maybe you’re still in your home country. Either way, take the time to write down 5 adventurous things you want to do in your life, or how about this year!

If you’re not in Canada, then is visiting here on your bucket list? Do you want to see this beautiful country and experience the sight of mountains and city in the same glance? You can do it if you set your mind to it, and you can also come here on an internship, work placement or volunteer opportunity through any of INTERNeX’s programs.

What’s on my bucket list? (Not in any order)

Swim with sharks

Try Fencing

Play a round of golf in Scotland

Drink a round of beers in Scotland

Bungee jump

Solve a rubix cube

Skydive

Visit Africa

Get my motorcycle license

and Live in New Zealand.

Those are just a few things on my list of things to accomplish in my lifetime, and this list is always growing. In my opinion, it should never stop, because you are never done exploring and trying new things! So, start writing YOUR bucket list!

More about the Running of the Bulls Festival:

Every morning of the festival at 8 a.m., six bulls are guided through the narrow, medieval streets of Pamplona by an equal number of large steers — each wearing a clanking cowbell — whose task is to keep the pack tight and galloping at an even pace.

The run covers 930-yards (850-meters) from a holding pen on the edge of town to the central bull ring where the bulls will face matadors and almost certain death in the afternoon.

The final bull, a massive red-colored beast called Gavioto from the renowned Jandilla ranch, was coaxed into a pen at the bullring, the final destination. In the ring, Gavioto tossed a man in the air, partially removing his trousers with the tip of his right horn.

With all of the rain we’ve been getting in Vancouver, I’ve been itching to get outside and enjoy the weather. If you’re in Vancouver, you know what I mean. Anyone is welcome to join Manouk and I tomorrow morning as we head to Grouse Mountain to hike their Grouse Grind trail. We will meet inside the Waterfront Station at 10 a.m. and take the sea bus to North Vancouver. From there we will hop on a bus that will take us straight to our destination.

The Skyride is optional, as you can hike back down the mountain. We can decide this once we get to the top, however the Skyride is a one-mile journey like no other.

High above towering Douglas firs, breathtaking views of the city of Vancouver, sparkling Pacific Ocean, Gulf Islands, and snowy peaks unfold as you journey up the mountainside. North America’s largest aerial tramway is your gateway to the majestic nature of the Peak of Vancouver, and an experience in itself.

Once we get to the top, there are many activities to do if we want to stay and have a few more hours of fun. They have :

You don’t have to bring a packed lunch, but it might be fun to have a little picnic at the top, it’s supposed to be beautiful out tomorrow. There is a few restaurants at the mountain and a Starbucks I believe if you want to buy food instead.

This will be a fun adventure guys, hope to see you tomorrow at 10 a.m. outside the Waterfront Station!

For 14 years, the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival has ridden the sweet spot where sports and art meet. So it’s that time of the year again to come together, this spring, to be a part of the Mother of All After-Parties! This world renowned festival has been part of Whistler’s history for the past 15 years. A 10 night and day adrenaline packed event offers us a glimpse into what’s up and coming in the Ski/Snowboard world, whilst providing its attendees with one of Canada’s largest and FREE outdoor concert series. This biggest annual gathering of winter sports, music, arts and culture in North America; the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival combines Canada’s largest outdoor concert series with an eclectic mix of snow sports contests and anti-comps, fashion shows, film screenings, photography showdowns, live painting and even a dog parade. Do not miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime event, so for more information check out this website!